The Hockaday Museum of Art announces Native Sons of the American West, an exhibit that showcases Paul Surber's oil and acrylic representations of Western Plains Indian Tribes in the 1800s and early 1900s. Surber represents Native American culture and authentic tribal wear with contemporary aesthetics. Guests of all ages will visually relate to the different tribes and their customs, expressed with colors and designs created with feathers, trade, beads, and different animal furs and bones. The exhibition will be on display May 5 through June 25, 2016.

Paul Surber spent much of his young life wandering through museums, admiring the newest exhibits. After a learning disability was discovered, his teacher gave him a book on cowboys and Indians, which sparked his interest and made it easier for him to read. His artistic imagination came alive at five years old at a Fourth of July parade in Redlands, CA, where Native American costumes were featured. Later, Paul's talent was discovered by an old German master artist who recognized his potential and great discipline, and taught him that a good painting came from a good monochrome. Surber uses this style of painting in every work he creates, and his lifelong friendships with those in the art world who are experts in Indian tribes and customs have inspired him to be extremely attentive to accuracy and detail.

His Indian paintings have been shown nationally and internationally, including showings in Germany, Canada, Colorado, New Mexico, New York, and Montana. He has spent much of his life living close to the source of his inspiration, near the Crow Indian Reservation in Montana and the Taos Pueblo in New Mexico.

The opening reception for Native Sons of the American West will be held on Thursday, May 19 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Admission is free to the event for members, and $10 for non-members. Throughout the exhibit, visitors may learn more by taking one of the docent-guided tours held Saturdays at 1:00 PM (included with guest admission). The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The Hockaday Museum of Art is located in the cultural district of downtown Kalispell at 302 Second Ave East. It is housed in a 1904 Carnegie Library building that appears on the National Register of Historic Places. The Museum is a private nonprofit organization, open year-round, Tues-Sat from 10am-5pm. The mission of the Hockaday is to enrich the cultural life of our community and region, and preserve the artistic legacy of Montana and Glacier National Park. For more information, please visit www.HockadayMuseum.org or call 406-755-5268.

Admission: Adults/$5, Seniors/$4, College/$2, K-12/Free, Members/Free